The Goa High Court on Tuesday deferred the bail plea hearing of Tehelka’s founder-editor Tarun Tejpal, who has been accused of raping a woman colleague, till March 4.

Justice Mridula Bhatkar said that since she wasn’t informed of the chargesheet having been filed, there is a change of circumstances. She said that defence could either withdraw and again appeal lower court.

The defence asked for time till Friday to appear again after reading the chargesheet to which the judge gave the next date on March 4.

Earlier on Tuesday, the security outside the Goa High Court was beefed up as police and prosecution prepared for the hearing and Tejpal was appeared before the court of Justice Mridula Bhatkar for the hearing. The family of Tejpal was also present at the court. Just before walking inside, Tejpal hugged his daughter Tiya.

The court allowed him to be present in court, much against prosecution’s plea that it would set a precedent and incur state expenditure towards his security between the jail and court.